Decatur School Board swears in its first-ever student representative
Decatur High School Senior Sophia D’Elena was sworn in as the student representative to the Decatur School Board during the board’s regular meeting on Tuesday.
According to CSD, the district is the first in the state to have a student representative take an oath of office and serve on the school board. Decatur High students interested in running for the position had to declare their candidacy this spring and were elected by their peers in ninth through 11th grades.
Additionally, a Decatur High junior will serve as the apprentice to prepare to be the student representative during their senior year. This year, Nia Batra will serve as the first apprentice. Both students received a warm welcome from the school board and CSD staff during the Aug. 13 school board meeting.
“The apprentice is expected to provide input, which might include requests or preferences of students, to the student board representative,” Chief of Staff Amanda Lynch previously said.
D’Elena will be able to attend and participate in all school board meeting discussions, except executive sessions. She will not be a voting member of the board. Although, the district is still looking into having a student be a voting member of the school board.
“The student representative is currently not a voting member, however, she will be able to participate in discussions,” a spokesperson for the district told Decaturish. “We will continue to research opportunities for greater engagement in the governance process.”
D’Elena will go through training alongside the school board members. She attended the annual Georgia School Boards Association training in June with the board members and Superintendent Dr Gyimah Whitaker.
“The Board receives additional training throughout the year, which the student representative will also participate in, such as in board retreats,” the spokesperson said.
According to the regulation that sets the guidelines for the student representative, the student would serve as the Student Board of Education Representative in their senior year.
“The City Schools of Decatur (‘CSD’) Board of Education believes that engaging the student body and seeking its input and feedback regarding the district’s educational programs and activities is vital to achieving the district’s vision and mission and carrying out its strategic plan,” the regulation states. “To this end, the Board of Education supports the participation of a Student Board of Education Representative, selected by the district’s high school students.”
To see the regulation, click here.
This story was provided by WABE content partner Decaturish.
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